Activities to Enhance Baby's Social & Emotional Development: 9-12 Months

By Jamie Loehr, M.D. and Jen Meyers
January 21, 2010
Credit: Kathryn Gamble
Jamie Loehr and Jen Meyers, authors of "Raising Your Child" suggest these activities to help Baby feel comfortable in social situations as well as grow emotionally.
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Love Her

Credit: Kathryn Gamble

Give your baby kisses, hugs, and snuggles. Touch your baby. Massage her.

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Have Story Time

Credit: Kathryn Gamble

Cuddle with your baby and read books. She'll love looking at the colorful illustrations and listening to your soothing voice.

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Pay Attention To Her Feelings

Credit: Kathryn Gamble

Respect your baby's feelings. Be with her when she is happy and when she is upset. Try to be fully present in the moment with your child, instead of thinking about your next project or what you need to do when you get home.

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Goof Off

Credit: Kathryn Gamble

Act silly with your baby. Make funny noises, wear pants on your head, and pretend to gobble up her fingers. It'll make your baby laugh, and it's fun to do! Babies this age have absolutely irresistible laughs. It's the happiest sound on Earth!

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Stay Close

Credit: Kathryn Gamble

Keep your baby near you -- in your arms or a sling -- when a new person is around. (That includes grandparents if she hasn't seen them for a while.) Ask the new person to approach slowly and not to get too close until your baby has time to know she's safe.

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Explore With Her

Credit: Kathryn Gamble

Take your baby out to see the world -- on walks and errands, or to meet up with a friend. Head outside with your baby by your side or in your arms.

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Raising Your Child

Raising Your Child: The Complete Illustrated Guide is an information-packed guide that leads parents through the ever changing maze of new behaviors, developments, and challenges present in a child's first six years. It is filled with essential information, expert advice, practical solutions, and key choices to ensure a child's healthy development for their first six years -- and set them up for success in later developmental stages. In addition to understanding their child's stage of development, readers are given parenting techniques and activities they can use with their child to maximize physical, emotional, intellectual, and behavioral development at every age and stage.

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More Activities for 6-9 Month Babies

Credit: Kathryn Gamble

Get more ideas from Raising Your Child: The Complete Illustrated Guide to help with your baby's development.

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